Vacuum insulated fitting enclosure

ABSTRACT

An enclosure for providing a fluid conduit and high-pressure fitting of a fluid transfer hose with a highly-insulative vacuum jacket and for providing convenient access to the fitting. The enclosure includes an interface collar mounted to an end of the transfer hose with the fluid conduit and the fitting extending therethrough, a bellows fastened at a first end to an interior of the interface collar and fastened at a second end to a pass-through collar, a tubular slide cuff mounted to the pass-through collar and extending over the bellows and the interface collar, and a connecting nut mounted to the pass-through collar. The slide cuff is axially displacable relative to the interface collar between a retracted position, wherein the connecting nut, the pass-through collar, and the bellows are refracted to expose and provide access to the fitting, and an extended position, wherein the fitting is entirely covered by the enclosure.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates generally to connective fittings for fluidtransfer hoses, and more particularly to a retractable, vacuum insulatedenclosure for a high-pressure fluid transfer hose fitting.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Cryogenic transfer hoses, such as may be employed for transferringcryogenic gases and liquids to and from cryogenic tanks and modules,require substantial insulation for mitigating cooling losses andpreventing the formation of condensation and ice on the hoses. Vacuumshave been found to be very effective for providing cryogenic insulation.Thus, in order to achieve adequate insulation, conventional cryogenictransfer hoses are typically provided with a highly-insulative vacuumlayer (commonly referred to as a “vacuum jacket”) intermediate a fluidtransfer conduit and an outer jacket.

A problem that is commonly associated with cryogenic transfer hoses isthat connective fittings that are used to attach the fluid transferconduits of such hoses to cryogenic tanks and modules must also beinsulated. Vacuum jacketed fittings for such applications are well knownin the art, but such fittings must employ bayonet-style connections orother low-pressure connective means that do not require tightening bytools, because the outer jackets of vacuum-insulated fittings precludeaccess by tools. Vacuum-jacketed, bayonet-style fittings typically havea pressure limit of 100 to 150 PSI, which is too low forrefrigerant-based cooling loop applications that typically operate atpressures exceeding 400 PSI.

High-pressure cryogenic transfer hose fittings, such as fittings thatemploy threaded connective elements, are also known in the art, but suchfittings do not employ vacuum jackets because they must be accessible bytools for mechanical tightening (i.e. for establishing tight connectionsthat can withstand high pressures). High-pressure fittings are thereforeleft “naked” (i.e. uninsulated) until they are connected and tightened,after which they are manually wrapped in foam or other bulky insulatingmaterials. Such insulating materials must be unwrapped or cut awaybefore the fittings can be disconnected. In addition to beingtime-consuming, cumbersome, and wasteful, manual installation andremoval of insulating materials can be impractical for high-pressureapplications in which space is limited, such as where a plurality ofhose connections are spaced in close proximity to one another.

In view of the forgoing, it would be advantageous to provide anenclosure for a high-pressure, cryogenic transfer hose fitting thatemploys a highly-insulative vacuum jacket and that provides convenientaccess to the fitting for attachment and removal.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided aretractable, insulative enclosure for a fluid conduit and connectivefitting of a fluid transfer hose. The enclosure may include a tubularinterface collar mounted to the end of the outer jacket of the fluidtransfer hose in an axially-abutting relationship therewith and formingan airtight seal therebetween. A tubular bellows is disposed within theinterface collar and is fastened at a first longitudinal end to aninterior of the interface collar. A second longitudinal end of thebellows is fastened to a pass-through collar positioned axially adjacentto the interface collar. A tubular slide cuff is mounted to the exteriorof the pass-through collar and extends over the bellows and theinterface collar. A connecting nut is rotatably mounted to thepass-through collar and is adapted to be removably connected to aconnecting port of a fluid-holding structure. The slide cuff is axiallydisplacable relative to the interface collar between a retractedposition, wherein the connecting nut, pass-through collar, and bellowsare retracted to provide access to the connective fitting, and anextended position, wherein the fitting is entirely covered by theenclosure.

When using the enclosure to connect the fluid transfer hose tofluid-holding structure, such as a tank, an operator may manually gripand displace the slide cuff longitudinally relative to the interfacecuff to the retracted position. The bellows is thereby axiallycompressed and the connecting nut, pass-through collar, and slide cuffare retracted to expose the fitting. The fitting is then moved intoengagement with a complementary fitting of a fluid transfer conduitextending from the tank and is tightened thereupon. The exposed fittingcan be accessed by a tool for tightening the fitting and establishing ahigh-pressure fluid connection between the hose and the tank.

After the fitting has been sufficiently tightened, the operator maymanually grip and longitudinally displace the slide cuff relative to theinterface cuff to an extended position, wherein the connecting nutengages a complementary connecting port on the tank. The bellows, slidecuff, and pass-through collar are thereby extended over the fluidconduit and the connected fittings. The connecting nut can then befastened to the connecting port to secure the hose to the tank.Connected thusly, the enclosure provides an airtight conduit thatsurrounds the high-pressure fittings. Air can subsequently be evacuatedfrom the enclosure and the fluid transfer hose by a vacuum device tocreate a highly-insulative vacuum jacket that surrounds the fluidconduits and the fittings.

An embodiment of the device disclosed herein can thus include aninterface collar adapted to be mounted to an end of the cryogenic fluidhandling hose, a bellows coupled at a first end to the interface collarand coupled at a second end to a pass-through collar, and a slide cuffcoupled to the pass-through collar and extending over at least a portionof the bellows and the interface collar. The slide cuff may be axiallydisplaceable relative to the interface collar to facilitate movement ofthe slide cuff between a retracted position and an extended position.The device may further include a connecting nut coupled to thepass-through collar. The connecting nut may be configured to releasablyengage a portion of the cryogenic fluid holding structure. In theextended position the pass-through collar and the bellows may form asealed conduit between the cryogenic fluid handling hose and thecryogenic fluid holding structure.

An alternative embodiment of the device disclosed herein can thusinclude a bellows adapted to be coupled at a first end to an end of thecryogenic fluid handling hose and coupled at a second end to apass-through collar, where the bellows and pass through collar can beextended and refracted relative to the fluid handling hose between anextended position and a retracted position. The device may also includea connecting nut coupled to the pass-through collar. The connecting nutmay be configured to releasably engage a portion of the cryogenic fluidholding structure. In the extended position the pass-through collar andthe bellows may form a sealed conduit between the cryogenic fluidhandling hose and the cryogenic fluid holding structure.

A method is disclosed herein for connecting a fluid transfer conduit toa fluid inlet conduit of a fluid-holding structure and insulating suchconnection. The method can thus include coupling the fluid transferconduit to the fluid inlet conduit; longitudinally extending aninsulative enclosure that radially surrounds the fluid transfer conduitover the fluid transfer conduit and the fluid inlet conduit; andcoupling the insulative enclosure to the fluid-holding structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example, a specific embodiment of the disclosed device willnow be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view in section illustrating an insulative enclosure inaccordance with the present disclosure in an extended position.

FIG. 2 is a side view in section illustrating the insulative enclosureshown in FIG. 1 in retracted position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating the insulative enclosure shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view in section illustrating the insulativeenclosure shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view in section illustrating a first alternativeembodiment of the insulative enclosure shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a second alternative embodiment ofthe insulative enclosure shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side view in section illustrating a third alternativeembodiment of the insulative enclosure shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 8 is a perspective view in section illustrating the embodiment ofthe insulative enclosure shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using the insulativeenclosure shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a cryogenic transfer hose fitting enclosure 10(hereinafter referred to as “the enclosure 10”) in accordance with thepresent disclosure is shown. For the sake of convenience and clarity,terms such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,”“inwardly,” “outwardly,” “lateral,” and “longitudinal” will be usedherein to describe the relative placement and orientation of componentsof the enclosure 10, each with respect to the geometry and orientationof the enclosure 10 as it appears in FIG. 1. Said terminology willinclude the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and wordsof similar import.

The enclosure 10 may include an interface collar 12, a bellows 14, apass-through collar 16, a slide cuff 18, a retaining collar 20, aconnecting nut 22, and several thrust bushings 24, 26, and 28. Unlessotherwise noted below, the components of the enclosure 10 may be formedof stainless steel or other metals, plastics, or composites that aresuitably rigid, durable, resistant to corrosion, and capable ofwithstanding operating temperatures below about −196 degrees Centigradewithout significant adverse effects.

The interface collar 12 of the enclosure 10 may be an elongated,substantially tubular member having a sidewall 30 that terminates at itslower end in an annular flange 32. The flange 32 may have an innerdiameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the sidewall 30 andthat is substantially equal to the inner diameter of a vacuum-insulatedhose 33 to which the enclosure is connected (as described in greaterdetail below). An annular mounting lip 34 may extend from a top of theflange 32, radially inward of the sidewall 30, for facilitatingconnection to the bellows 14 (as described below).

When operatively configured, the flange 32 of the interface collar 12can be axially mounted to a connective flange 36 extending from theouter jacket of a conventional, vacuum-insulated hose 33, as shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 4, such as by mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or otherfastening means. An insulative O-ring 38 may be disposed incomplementary annular channels formed in the abutting axial faces of theflanges 32 and 36 for establishing an air tight seal at the interface ofthe enclosure 10 and the hose 33. Alternatively, it is contemplated thatthe interface collar 12 may be formed as an integral extension of anouter jacket of a vacuum insulated hose.

The bellows 14 of the enclosure 10 may be a conventional bellows formedof stainless steel (e.g. austenitic stainless steel or precipitationhardening stainless steel) and having a circular cross-sectional shape.Alternatively it is contemplated that the bellows 14 can be formed ofhigh temperature, nickel base, corrosion resistant alloys, titaniumalloys, zirconium alloys, or any other material that is suitablyflexible, resilient, and capable of withstanding operating temperaturesbelow about −196 degrees Centigrade without significant adverse effects.The bellows 14 may have an outer diameter that is smaller than the innerdiameter of the interface collar 12 and that is substantially equal tothe outer diameter of the mounting lip 34. The bellows 14 may bedisposed within the interface collar 12 in a substantially coaxialrelationship therewith, and the bottom rim of the bellows 14 may befastened to the mounting lip 34, such as with mechanical fasteners,adhesives, or welds, to form a continuous, airtight seal therebetween.Alternatively, it is contemplated that the mounting lip 34 can beomitted and that the bellows 14 can be fastened directly to the flange32.

While the bellows 14 is shown as being a conventional, pleated bellows14, it is contemplated that the bellows 14 can be any type of tubularmember that defines a passageway therethrough and that is capable ofbeing extended and retracted without substantial variation in itsdiameter. For example, it is contemplated that the bellows 14 canalternatively be a flexible tube having a non-pleated sidewall thataxially folds or “doubles over” upon itself when the bellows 14 isretracted and is pulled substantially taught when the bellows 14 isextended.

The pass-through collar 16 of the enclosure may be a generally tubularmember having a sidewall 40 that terminates at its lower end in aradially outwardly extending annular flange 42. The outer diameter ofthe flange 42 may be substantially equal to the outer diameter of thesidewall 30 of the interface collar 12. The flange 42 may form anannular shoulder 44 adjacent to the lower terminus of the pas-throughcollar 16. An annular thrust bushing 24 having an outer diametersubstantially equal to the outer diameter of the flange 42 and having aninner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the sidewall40 may be seated atop the shoulder 44. The thrust bushing 24 may beformed of TEFLON or another low friction material.

An annular mounting lip 46 having an outer diameter substantially equalto the outer diameter of the bellows 14 may extend from a bottom of theflange 42 for facilitating connection to the bellows 14. Particularly,the mounting lip 46 may be fastened to the bellows 14 in manner similarto the mounting lip 34 of the interface collar 12, such as withmechanical fasteners, adhesives, or welds, to form a continuous,airtight seal there between. Alternatively, it is contemplated that themounting lip 46 can be omitted and that the bellows 14 can be fasteneddirectly to the flange 42.

The slide cuff 18 of the enclosure 10 may be an elongated, substantiallytubular member having a sidewall 48 that terminates at its upper end ina radially inwardly extending annular flange 50. The sidewall 48 mayhave an inner diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameterof the sidewall 30 of the interface collar 12. The flange 50 may have aninner diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of thesidewall 40 of the pass-through collar 16. The slide cuff 18 may fitover the interface collar 12, the bellows 14, and the pass-throughcollar 16, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, with the sidewall 40 of thepass-through collar 16 extending upwardly through the flange 50 of theslide cuff 18 and with a lower face of the flange 50 seated upon thethrust bushing 24 of the pass-through collar 16. An annular thrustbushing 26 that may be substantially identical to the thrust bushing 24may be seated atop the flange 50, radially surrounding the sidewall 40of the pass-through collar 16. Configured thusly, the inwardly facingsurface of the sidewall 48 of the slide cuff 18 is disposed in a closeclearance relationship with the outwardly facing surface of the sidewall30 of the interface collar 12. The slide cuff 18 can therefore belongitudinally displaced or “slid” relative to the interface collar 12with a minimal amount of lateral movement there between, as furtherdescribed below. The exterior of the slide cuff 18 may be knurled,textured, coated with rubber, or otherwise provided with amoderate-to-high friction surface for facilitating secure manualengagement therewith. An embodiment of the present disclosure iscontemplated wherein the slide cuff 18 is entirely omitted.

The connecting nut 22 may be a substantially tubular member having asidewall 54 that terminates at its lower end in a radially inwardlyextending annular flange 56. The sidewall 54 may have an inner diameterthat is substantially equal to the outer diameter of a connecting port62 of a fluid holding structure 64 (described below), and may have athreaded, inwardly facing surface for engaging a threaded exterior ofthe connecting port 62 (as described below). The flange 56 may have aninner diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of thesidewall 40 of the pass-through collar 16. The connecting nut 22 may fitover the pass-through collar 16 with the sidewall 40 of the pass-throughcollar 16 extending upwardly through the flange 56 of the connecting nut22 and with a lower face of the flange 56 seated atop the thrust bushing26. An annular thrust bushing 28 that may be substantially identical tothe thrust bushings 24 and 26 may be seated atop the flange 56, radiallyinward of the sidewall 54 and radially surrounding the sidewall 40 ofthe pass-through collar 16.

The retaining collar 20 may be formed of a pair of segmental ribs 58 and60. The ribs 58 and 60 are seated atop the thrust bushing 28 in theradial gap between the pass-through collar 16 and the connecting nut 22in a diametrically-opposing relationship. Each rib 58 and 60 may have apair of radially-extending apertures formed through it that are radiallyaligned with corresponding pass-through apertures in the connecting nut22 and threaded fastening apertures in the pass-through collar 16. Theribs 58 and 60 may be mounted to the exterior of the pass-through collar16 by threaded fasteners 60 that engage the threaded fasteningapertures, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (the fasteners 60 may beextended through the pass-through apertures in the connecting nut 22during assembly of the enclosure 10). When installed, the heads of thefasteners 60 may be disposed substantially flush with, or slightlyradially inward of, the outwardly-facing surfaces of their respectiveribs 58 and 60. Configured thusly, the retaining collar 20 secures theconnecting nut 22 and the slide cuff 18 against longitudinaldisplacement relative to the pass-through collar 16 while allowing theconnecting nut 22 to be freely rotated about a longitudinal axisrelative to the pass-through collar 16 to facilitate tightening andloosening thereof.

While the retaining collar 20 is shown as having two segmental ribs 58and 60, it is contemplated that the retaining collar 20 canalternatively be composed of a greater or fewer number of segmentsand/or can incorporate a greater or fewer number of apertures formedtherethrough, with an appropriate number of corresponding pass-throughand fastening apertures formed in the connecting nut 22 and pass-throughcollar 16. For example, it is contemplated that the retaining collar 20can be composed of four segmental ribs, each rib having a singleaperture. Alternatively, the retaining collar 20 can be formed of asingle annular ring having a plurality of apertures. More broadly, itwill be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that manydifferent mechanical arrangements can be implemented for restricting themovement of the connecting nut 22 and the slide cuff 18 in the mannerdescribed above. Such alternative structures are too numerous to listherein but may be substituted for the described structures withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

To facilitate connection with the enclosure 10, it may generally berequired that a cryogenic tank, module, or other fluid-holding structureto which the enclosure 10 is connected, such as the tank 64, be providedwith a connecting port 62, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The connectingport 62 may be a substantially annular member that is rigidly mounted tothe exterior of the tank 64, such as by welds. The connecting port 62defines a vacuum conduit and provides a pass-through for a cryogenicfluid conduit 66 extending from within the tank 64. The connecting port62 may terminate at its lower end in a radially-inwardly extendingflange 68 having an inner diameter that is substantially equal to theinner diameter of the sidewall 40 of the pass-through collar 16. Aninsulative O-ring 70 may be disposed in an annular channel formed in thelower face of the flange 68 for forming an airtight seal at the junctureof the connecting port 62 and the pass-through collar 16 as furtherdescribed below. The connecting port 62 may have a threaded exterior forthreadedly engaging a threaded interior of the connecting nut 22 andestablishing a secure connection therebetween. Alternatively, theconnecting port 62 and connecting nut 22 may be configured to engage oneanother through a variety of other connecting means, including, but notlimited to, friction fit and snap fit, for firmly securing the enclosure10 to the exterior of the tank 64.

When the enclosure 10 is operatively mounted to the cryogenic transferhose 33 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the cryogenic fluid transferconduit 72 of the hose 33 may axially extend through the enclosure 10and terminate in a high-pressure fitting 74. The high-pressure fitting74 may be a threaded female fitting defined by a threaded connectingcuff that is rotatable relative to the fluid conduit 72 for facilitatingrotational tightening and loosening of the cuff. Those having ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that many other varieties ofhigh-pressure or medium-pressure fittings may be substituted for thefitting 74 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Such fittings include, but are not limited to, those soldunder the names SWAGELOK VCR, PARKER Face-Seal w/metal O-rings, PARKERTriple-Lok 37°, PARKER SAE 45° Flare, and NPT Unions. The fitting 74 ispreferably capable of withstanding operating pressures of at least 1000PSI.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the enclosure 10 isshown wherein multiple fluid transfer conduits 100 and 102, such as acryogenic fluid supply line and a cryogenic fluid return line, aredisposed within a single enclosure 104 that is substantially similar tothe enclosure 10. Such a multiple-conduit configuration is commonlyreferred to as “coaxial” or “triaxial” and provides the advantage ofsaving space relative to using two or more separate fluid conduitshaving their own enclosures.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a further alternative embodiment of the enclosure 10in which a vacuum insulation extension 106 is provided around a portionof the cryogenic fluid transfer conduit 72 within the enclosure. Asillustrated, the extension 106 may have a length “L” sufficient to coversubstantially the entire length of the cryogenic fluid transfer conduit72 within the enclosure 10. As shown, the extension terminates a shortdistance from the high-pressure fitting 74 used to couple the conduit tothe cryogenic fluid conduit 66 extending from within the tank 64.

In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum insulation extension 106comprises a cylindrical member within which the fluid transfer conduit72 is axially disposed. The extension 106 has a first end 108 coupled toa portion of the vacuum-insulated hose 33 adjacent to the connectiveflange 36. A second end 110 of the extension is coupled to an outersurface of the fluid transfer conduit. The extension 106 thus forms anannular space around a portion of the fluid transfer conduit 72 that canbe evacuated from the hose side of the enclosure 10 (i.e., adjacent thesecond end 110 of the extension), thus providing an additional vacuuminsulated spaced about a the conduit. As will be appreciated, byproviding this additional vacuum insulated space, heat leakage to theouter surface of the conduit 72 can be further minimized.

The first and second ends 108, 110 may be welded, brazed or otherwisefixed to the hose 33 and the fluid transfer conduit 72 in a fluid-tightmanner. The extension 106 is illustrated as being cylindrical in shape,however, it will be appreciated that this shape is not critical, andother shapes can be used as long as they provide a vacuum annulus havingdesirable insulative properties.

Further, the illustrated embodiment shows the vacuum enclosure 106having a length “L” sufficient to cover a substantial portion of thefluid transfer conduit 72 within the enclosure 10. It will beappreciated that the length “L” of the vacuum enclosure 106 can beselected so that a smaller portion of the fluid transfer conduit 72 iscovered, as desired for a particular application.

Referring to the enclosure 10 as shown in FIG. 2, a method of using theenclosure 10, as generally outlined in FIG. 9, will now be described.When using the enclosure 10 to connect the hose 33 to the tank 64, anoperator may manually grip and displace the slide cuff 18 longitudinallyrelative to the interface collar 12 to a refracted position (step 700).The bellows 14 is thereby compressed and the connecting nut 22,pass-through collar 16, and slide cuff 18 are retracted a distance of atleast about one inch to expose the fitting 74. The female fitting 74 isthen moved into engagement with a complementary male fitting 76 at theterminus of the cryogenic fluid transfer conduit 66 extending from thetank 64 and is tightened thereupon (step 710). Alternatively, it iscontemplated that the fluid conduit 72 of the hose may terminate in amale fitting and the fluid conduit 66 extending from the tank 64 mayterminate in a complementary female fitting. The retraction of the slidecuff 18 and resulting exposure of the fitting 74 allows the fitting 74to be accessed by a tool, such as a wrench, for tightening the fitting74 about the fitting 76 and establishing a high-pressure connection atthe juncture of the fluid conduits 66 and 72.

After the fitting 74 has been sufficiently tightened, the operator maymanually grip and longitudinally displace the slide cuff 18 relative tothe interface collar 12 to an extended position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and4, wherein the connecting nut 22 engages the connecting port 62 (step720). The bellows 14, slide cuff 18, and pass-through collar 16 arethereby extended over the fluid conduit 72 and the connected fittings 74and 76. The connecting nut 22 can then be manually fastened to theconnecting port 62, such as through threaded engagement (as describedabove), or by other connecting means that may be provided (step 730).Connected thusly, the enclosure 10 provides an airtight conduit thatsurrounds the high-pressure fittings 74 and 76 and extends between thehose 33 and the connecting port 62 of the tank 64. Air can subsequentlybe evacuated from the enclosure 10 and the hose 33 in a conventionalmanner, such by a vacuum device located within the tank 64 that is influid communication with the interior of the enclosure 10, to create ahighly-insulative vacuum jacket that surrounds the fluid conduits 66 and72 and the fittings 74 and 76 (step 740). Alternatively, referring toFIG. 5, it is contemplated that the enclosure 10 can itself be providedwith a vacuum port 80 for facilitating connection with an externalvacuum means (not shown) for evacuating air from the enclosure 10 andthe hose 33.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralelements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention arenot intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein,it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it isintended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allowand that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the artwill envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of theclaims appended hereto.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vacuum enclosure for coupling a cryogenicfluid handling hose to a cryogenic fluid holding structure, comprising:an interface collar adapted to be mounted to an end of the cryogenicfluid handling hose; a bellows coupled at a first end to the interfacecollar and coupled at a second end to a pass-through collar; a slidecuff coupled to the pass-through collar and extending over at least aportion of the bellows and the interface collar, wherein the slide cuffis axially displaceable relative to the interface collar to facilitatemovement of the slide cuff between a retracted position and an extendedposition; and a connecting nut coupled to the pass-through collar andlongitudinally separated from the slide cuff by a thrust bushingdisposed longitudinally intermediate the connecting nut and the slidecuff, the connecting nut configured to releasably engage a portion ofthe cryogenic fluid holding structure; wherein in the extended positionthe pass-through collar and the bellows form a sealed conduit betweenthe cryogenic fluid handling hose and the cryogenic fluid holdingstructure.
 2. The enclosure in accordance with claim 1, wherein in theretracted position the connecting nut is released from engagement withthe cryogenic fluid holding structure to expose a high pressure fittingthat is configured to couple first and second conduits associated withthe cryogenic fluid handling hose and the cryogenic fluid holdingstructure, respectively.
 3. The enclosure in accordance with claim 2,further comprising a vacuum extension disposed about a portion of thefirst conduit, the vacuum extension coupled at a first end to an outersurface of the first conduit, the vacuum extension coupled at a secondend to the cryogenic fluid handling hose, the vacuum extension and theouter surface of the first conduit forming an annular space open at thesecond end to enable removal of air from the annular space.
 4. Theenclosure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connecting nut isrotatably mounted to the pass-through collar.
 5. The enclosure inaccordance with claim 1, further comprising a retaining collar mountedto an exterior of the pass-through collar for minimizing axialdisplacement of the connecting nut and the slide cuff relative to thepass-through collar.
 6. The enclosure in accordance with claim 1,wherein the slide cuff fits over the interface collar in a radiallyclose-clearance relationship therewith for minimizing radialdisplacement therebetween.
 7. The enclosure in accordance with claim 1,further comprising a vacuum port associated with the enclosure forproviding a passageway therethrough to facilitate removal of air from aninterior portion of the enclosure.
 8. A vacuum enclosure for coupling acryogenic fluid handling hose to a cryogenic fluid holding structure,comprising: a bellows adapted to be coupled at a first end to an end ofthe cryogenic fluid handling hose and coupled at a second end to apass-through collar, wherein the bellows and pass through collar can beextended and retracted relative to the fluid handling hose between anextended position and a retracted position; a connecting nut coupled tothe pass-through collar, the connecting nut configured to releasablyengage a portion of the cryogenic fluid holding structure; a retainingcollar mounted to an exterior of the pass-through collar for minimizingaxial displacement of the connecting nut relative to the pass-throughcollar, the retaining collar longitudinally separated from a flange ofthe connecting nut by a thrust bushing disposed longitudinallyintermediate the retaining collar and the flange; and wherein in theextended position the pass-through collar and the bellows form a sealedconduit between the cryogenic fluid handling hose and the cryogenicfluid holding structure.
 9. The enclosure in accordance with claim 8,wherein in the retracted position the connecting nut is released fromengagement with the cryogenic fluid holding structure to expose a highpressure fitting that is configured to couple first and second conduitsassociated with the cryogenic fluid handling hose and the cryogenicfluid holding structure, respectively.
 10. The enclosure in accordancewith claim 9, further comprising a vacuum extension disposed about aportion of the first conduit, the vacuum extension coupled at a firstend to an outer surface of the first conduit, the vacuum extensioncoupled at a second end to the cryogenic fluid handling hose, the vacuumextension and the outer surface of the first conduit forming an annularspace open at the second end to enable removal of air from the annularspace.
 11. The enclosure in accordance with claim 8, wherein theconnecting nut is rotatably mounted to the pass-through collar.
 12. Theenclosure in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a vacuum portassociated with the enclosure for providing a passageway therethrough tofacilitate removal of air from an interior portion of the enclosure. 13.A vacuum enclosure for coupling a cryogenic fluid handling hose to acryogenic fluid holding structure, comprising: a bellows adapted to becoupled at a first end to an end of the cryogenic fluid handling hoseand coupled at a second end to a pass-through collar, wherein thebellows and pass through collar can be extended and refracted relativeto the fluid handling hose between an extended position and a retractedposition; a connecting nut coupled to the pass-through collar, theconnecting nut configured to releasably engage a portion of thecryogenic fluid holding structure; and a vacuum port associated with thevacuum enclosure for providing a passageway therethrough to facilitateremoval of air from an interior portion of the enclosure; wherein in theextended position the pass-through collar and the bellows form a sealedconduit between the cryogenic fluid handling hose and the cryogenicfluid holding structure.
 14. The vacuum enclosure in accordance withclaim 13, wherein in the retracted position the connecting nut isreleased from engagement with the cryogenic fluid holding structure toexpose a high pressure fitting that is configured to couple first andsecond conduits associated with the cryogenic fluid handling hose andthe cryogenic fluid holding structure, respectively.
 15. The vacuumenclosure in accordance with claim 14, further comprising a vacuumextension disposed about a portion of the first conduit, the vacuumextension coupled at a first end to an outer surface of the firstconduit, the vacuum extension coupled at a second end to the cryogenicfluid handling hose, the vacuum extension and the outer surface of thefirst conduit forming an annular space open at the second end to enableremoval of air from the annular space.
 16. The vacuum enclosure inaccordance with claim 13, wherein the connecting nut is rotatablymounted to the pass-through collar.
 17. The vacuum enclosure inaccordance with claim 13, further comprising an interface collar adaptedto be mounted to an end of the cryogenic fluid handling hose.
 18. Thevacuum enclosure in accordance with claim 17, further comprising a slidecuff coupled to the pass-through collar and extending over at least aportion of the bellows and the interface collar, wherein the slide cuffis axially displaceable relative to the interface collar to facilitatemovement of the slide cuff between a retracted position and an extendedposition.
 19. The vacuum enclosure in accordance with claim 18, furthercomprising a retaining collar mounted to an exterior of the pass-throughcollar for minimizing axial displacement of the connecting nut and theslide cuff relative to the pass-through collar.
 20. The vacuum enclosurein accordance with claim 18, wherein the slide cuff fits over theinterface collar in a radially close-clearance relationship therewithfor minimizing radial displacement therebetween.